Fishing for Trout and Salmon

[Hammer Smokin']

I'll use this thread for my 2021 fishing adventures. 

 

[Hammer Smokin']

Tis the season...actually, a little earlier than last year. 

We were shore bound in 2020, with ramps closed due to Covid. But not this year. First outing was a success. Some nice early season Lake Ontario Brown Trout

Ice still lining the shorelines. Water temps 35 degrees. 

First fish of 2021

Sun setting on the first fishing trip of the year.

One for dad as the afternoon comes to a close 

[Fosgate]

Beautiful fish. Time to fire up the smoker.

[RedLantern]

Wow that brown is a pig! Looks like a blast!

[Hammer Smokin']

those of us from Southern Ontario, especially fellow Hamiltonians remember the jingle, Make'r a Lake'r, it's a buck a beer. 

Well today was a Laker day. With almost 20 Lakers across the gunnels today it turned out to be a banner day on the water. All fish caught in tight to shore flat lining. 

Shaping up to be a good season. 

[RedLantern]

What a cool fishery!

[Hammer Smokin']

This morning I was fortunate to fish on a virtually show room new boat. A friend purchased last year and it was delayed due to Covid. He received it in February. This morning was his maiden voyage. He was looking for a helping hand and I was glad to oblige. Haven't seen any Kings yet this year, but figured might as well give'r a go. Staying out deeper and really doing my best to get him his first fish in the new boat, we worked the 35' of water zone. What a sound it was when the reel started screaming. I knew it wasn't a boring laker, and certainly no Brown or Rainbow. 

Yes baby, first Chinook of the year. Of course gave the rod to the new proud boat owner and he did a good job getting it aboard. High fives all around. 

What a start to the Chinook Salmon season.

We took a number of these smaller lakers to keep us busy, but no more Kings on this special maiden voyage morning. 

 

And the cigar for the morning. 2014 Hoyo Epicure de Luxe. A beauty 1 hour smoke. 

[Kaptain Karl]

Really is a cool fishery you guys have up there! Our salmon season is delayed by 3 months so I’m jealous you’ve already gotten some chrome! 

[Hammer Smokin']

A beauty Laker in full spring colours. 

The King Salmon are late to arrive...but they'll be here...eventually. 

Lakers until then. Even the Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout have been strangely missing. 

'17 D4 for the journey. 

[WLC]

I'm a bit envious.  Our fresh water is still a bit too thick for boats just yet.  

Those are really nice fish!!  Congrats!

[Hammer Smokin']

Was able to find some King Salmon this morning. Managed two real nice spring Kings as well as a couple smaller ones. My father sorta blew that first photo but we release them immediately so I don't check for accuracy lol. I gave him a good ribbing...he improved for the second photo. 

Nice to see things heating up! 

[Hammer Smokin']

Real small window this morning. On the water at 5am and off by 8:30am. It was foggy, cold, damp, and rainy. That was before the winds picked up. One of those mornings when you wonder what you were thinking....

Then a fish hits and it makes it all worth while. Getting these in the boat solo is quite a challenge!

[KCCubano]

Nice! Ive made many trips to Canada for fishing. Been several years though. Ever since I bought lake home in northern WI I feel I need to be there. Our lake is mainly smallies, walleye and musky. Used to do alot of trips out of Atikokan east of Ft Frances. You do any musky fishing?

[Hammer Smokin']

Sorta.

I've fished lake st clair and some of the Kawartha lakes for muskie. 

But the fish of a thousand casts is just that.

I enjoy muskie fishing but I enjoy great lakes salmon as well as warm water bass and walleye much more.

[KCCubano]

St Clair smallmouth trip is on my bucket list. Yep Muskie hard to catch. We throw bulldawgs for em in Wisconsin. Friend of mine is exclusively a Muskie guide and have learned a lot from him. Our biggest so far is 42 inches. The DNR shocked up a 55 incher in my lake a few years ago. Most of those bigger ones are never caught and just die off eventually. 

[Hammer Smokin']

I was fortunate enough to learn how to fish Lake St Clair, which is a muskie factory. Our biggest was 48", but with St Clair, it is common to catch 5 to 10 muskie in a day. It's all trolling...and rather boring. 

 

But real muskie fishing, like you suggest (bulldogs etc) is a lot of fun. Getting that hit while retrieving, especially at boatside, gets the heart pumping. 

[KCCubano]

I like trolling sometimes just to cover alot of water. Seems like when nothing is biting and you are just shooting the shit is when they always hit! Once caught a legit 6 lb smallie trolling cranks deep for Lakers! 

[KCCubano]

On 4/27/2021 at 5:01 PM, Hammer Smokin' said:

I was fortunate enough to learn how to fish Lake St Clair, which is a muskie factory. Our biggest was 48", but with St Clair, it is common to catch 5 to 10 muskie in a day. It's all trolling...and rather boring. 

 

But real muskie fishing, like you suggest (bulldogs etc) is a lot of fun. Getting that hit while retrieving, especially at boatside, gets the heart pumping. 

Any more fishing adventures Hammer? Tore meniscus so I have been sidelined until fall. I must live thru others!